Monday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020
Issue No. 358
Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:
Hi Andy --

FYI…Cory Booker is a US Senator from Stanford. He played football at Stanford too. Also, Gretchen Carlson from Stanford was Miss America in 1987,
I believe. She’s the one who accused Roger Ailes at CBS of sexual harassment.

Those are a couple of things I noticed missing from your article. Thanks.

Melinda Cook
Los Altos, CA

Editor's note: Ms. Cook's comments addressed Andy Dolich's informative Big Game article which appeared in Sports Today! 357.

Dear Editor:
My second love (first is Sports) is MUSIC and clicking on Andy Dolich's inclusion of the Gregory Abbott song Shake You Down in his Big Game article (Sports Today! 357) was nothing short of inspiring! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc8wmLul3uw). Thanks!

Ann M. Cooke
Independent BEMER Distributor - US #23285
Alameda, CA

Dear Editor:
Conflicts of Interest Bowl – A substantial percentage of Bay Area denizens
hail from other parts of the country and experience regular bouts of 'conflicts of interest' when the teams they grew up with face their now 'local' teams. As a native New Yorker, Mets vs. Giants, Giants vs. Niners, and Knicks vs. Warriors games have always posed this problem. With time, the loyalty issues have waned, and our local teams have emerged as winners, absent a contest in which a New York team's victory might propel them to a championship game with no impact on the local franchise. I'm still a Mets/NY Giants/Knicks fan versus any other teams they may play. Ed Kranepool, Sam Huff, and Walt Frazier New York memories cannot be erased.

Robert Moselle
Counselor at Law
Executive Director, Center for Continuing Education
Monterey, CA

Dear Editor:
I truly appreciate your consistency and persistence. Your publication is a treasure and I look forward to each issue. This one is another delightful viewing and reading experience. (Sports Today! 357). Stay the course.

Arif Khatib
Oakland, CA

Dear Editor:
Your Ultimate Sports Guide dated 11/23 (Sports Today! 356) reminded me that Pete Rose is still banned from MLB. Considering the nature of his crimes, perhaps it is time to forgive him and allow Pete to be acknowledged for the great player he was. If memory serves me correctly, it was never proven his gambling impacted an outcome of a game he played in!

Rob Rubber
Berkeley CA

Dear Editor:
Thanks for the news. It is always refreshing after all the bad news on the virus. Hopefully the vaccines will arrive soon. I have been busy getting the house decorated for the holidays – nobody can come over anyway but I enjoy it, especially the music and the bright colors in the house. At least the 49ers won that one! (Against the Rams.) Thanks and stay safe.

Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
Cal Bears 21
Oregon Ducks 17
Freshman linebacker Muele Iosefa (#55) recovered a fumbled ball late in the fourth quarter to assure Cal (1-3) the upset win, as the Golden Bears defeated the No. 23-ranked Oregon Ducks (3-2), 21-17 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening, Dec. 5. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
Cal co-captain and quarterback Chase Garbers (#7) breaks out of the pocket to deliver a strike during the second quarter. Garbers had one touchdown to wide receiver Nikko Remigio, good for 28 yards and threw no interceptions. Garbers also scored Cal's first touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Wide receiver Nikko Remigio's reception of a 28-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter would be the last score of the game, as the stingy Cal defense held the Ducks scoreless, allowing only 132 total yards after half time.
Co-captain cornerback Camryn Bynum (#24) broke up a deep pass early in the fourth corner, one of several credited to his tight coverage.
Co-captain and leading tackler (with eight) Kuony Deng (#8) knocked the ball away from Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough for a recovery by outside linebacker Cameron Goode (#19). Cal also dominated the time of possession, 36:03 vs. 23:57, keeping the high scoring Ducks off the field much of the game. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
Former Cal Bear star running back Marshawn Lynch made an appearance in the stands as a virtual fan before the game on Saturday evening. Cal now heads north for its next game, facing Washington State (1-2) in Pullman on Saturday,
Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.
Stanford Cardinal 31
Washington Huskies 26
The Stanford Cardinal (2-2) jumped out to a comfortable 24-3 lead before the Washington Huskies (3-1) mounted a strong second half comeback, which fell short. Final score: 31-26. For a second week in a row Stanford has emerged victorious and will remain in the Pacific Northwest for their next opponent, the Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis on Saturday at 7:30.
San Jose State Spartans 35
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 24
The San Jose State Spartans (5-0) traveled over 2,358 miles and risked their unbeaten record against the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (3-4) on Saturday afternoon, but the risk became a reward as the Spartans win streak continued with a 35-24 win. As San Jose State Spartans Lawrence Fan, Associate Athletics Director for Football Comms, commented “San José State is in rarified air at
5-0. Only nine unbeaten teams are still standing and San José State is one of them.” The team is off to its first 5-0 season start since the 1939 team finished 13-0. Next up is the Nevada Wolfpack at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV on Friday evening at 7 p.m. CBS will cover the game. Photo by Meredith Williams,
San Francisco 49ers Schedule
Anquan Boldin, wide receiver, humanitarian & philanthropist entrepreneur

by Kenny Karst

"My life's purpose is bigger than football."
And with that surprise statement on August 20, 2017, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin retired from professional football. The writing was on the wall. In 2004, more than a decade before he hung up his cleats, number 81 created the Anquan Boldin Foundation, also known as Q81, which "is dedicated to expanding the educational and life opportunities of underprivileged children." Returning home to Florida in retirement (he was a quarterback for the Florida State University Seminoles before being converted to wide receiver), Boldin continues his active quest for equality.

"Football has afforded me a platform throughout my career to have a greater impact on my humanitarian work. At this time, I feel drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority," he said in his retirement statement on Twitter. During his fourteen-year NFL career, Boldin amassed 13,779 receiving yards on 1,076 receptions and scored 82 touchdowns with four teams: the Arizona Cardinals (2003-2009), Baltimore Ravens (2010-2012), San Francisco 49ers (2013-2015), and Detroit Lions (2016). Boldin signed a one-year contract in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills, but then issued his retirement statement less than two weeks later without playing any games. Boldin is a Super Bowl champion (XLVII in 2012 with the Ravens), three-time Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2006, 2008), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2003), and
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2015).
Saint Mary's Gaels 73
Nicholls State Colonels 50
 Saint Mary's guard Alex Ducas hit five three pointers on the way to 19 points as the Gaels defeated the Nicholls State Colonels, 73-50, at UCU Pavilion in Moraga on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
Senior guard Tyler Kuhse dished out 10 assists while suffering only one turnover. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
Forward Kyle Bowen scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
Cal Bears 53
Washington State 80
Cal's Lelani McIntosh scored 12 points and tallied three rebounds and three assists in the Bears' 80-53 Pac-12 loss to the University of Washington Huskies in their Pac-12 opener on Friday, Dec. 4 at Haas Pavilion.
 Freshman center Fatou Samb was the only other Bear to score in double-digits, with 10 points. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
Cal forward Dalayah Daniels scored eight points with seven rebounds and three steals after receiving a nomination for Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors.

The Holiday Priority Pack is the perfect gift, offering Giants fans savings and priority to purchase tickets for the 2021 season. Each Holiday Priority Pack includes 4 value vouchers to be applied toward a game ticket for the
2021 regular season.

Easily giftable, each value voucher within a pack can be gifted individually. Give all four, give two and keep two, or keep all four for yourself! Packs start at $45.
We agreed to terms with first baseman Matt Olson, right-handed pitcher Burch Smith, infielder/outfielder Chad Pinder, and infielder Tony Kemp on one-year contracts for the 2021 season. We also tendered contracts to Chris Bassitt, Mark Canha, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Lou Trivino, and all of the remaining unsigned players on the 40-man roster.

Plus, manager Bob Melvin's coaching staff for the 2021 season was announced. Mark Kotsay will shift to third base coach, Darren Bush will be our hitting coach for the seventh consecutive season, Scott Emerson returns as pitching coach, Ryan Christenson returns as bench coach, Oakland native Marcus Jensen returns as bullpen coach, Mike Aldrete continues as first base coach, and Eric Martins is back for his second consecutive season as hitting coach and will also share infield and defensive positioning duties with Kotsay.
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Everybody knows the San Francisco 49ers are celebrating their
70th anniversary as an NFL franchise.

How many know who the 49ers picked in their
very first NFL draft?

(See answer below...)
The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa 
Where The Bay Comes To Play!
"It's an ocean planet. As the oceans go, so goes the planet."
-- Bill Carvalho, Wild Planet founder and president

Wild Planet Foods has been honored with TWO awards by Whole Foods Market -- Global Supplier of the Year AND Environmental Stewardship! The annual awards recognize suppliers who embody Whole Foods Market's mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, and partnership.

More Awards and Counting!
Prevention  -- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards
Men's Health -- 125 Best Foods for Men
Prevention -- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods
Every Day with Rachael Ray -- Brand New Buy
Better Homes and Gardens -- Catch of the Day
Clean Eating -- Clean Choice Awards
Natural Health -- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards
Runner's World -- Good Catch

For more information, visit www.wildplanetfoods.com
San Jose Earthquakes
Club's all-time assist leader to remain in San Jose

Earthquakes Sign Shea Salinas to New Contract

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes today announced that the club has signed midfielder Shea Salinas to a one-year contract with option to extend. Salinas, entering his 10th consecutive season with the Quakes and 12th season overall, is now the team's longest tenured player currently under
contract for 2021.


"San Jose has benefitted from its strong veteran presence within the locker room, including Shea Salinas," said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. "These players represent far more than simply their on-field contributions. We're excited to count on Shea's qualities and leadership because they've impacted our performance as well as our commitment to push ourselves to the limit for the team
as well as for our fans."

Salinas, 34, is a 13-year MLS veteran with 11 prior seasons in San Jose (2008-09, 2012-20). Among all players in Earthquakes history, Salinas ranks first in assists (48), second in appearances (292) and corner kicks (398), third in minutes played (16,611), and fourth in starts (168). Only Chris Wondolowski (344) has played in more matches for the Quakes than the Texas native.

The former Furman University Paladin was the club's first SuperDraft selection (No. 15 overall) following the team's return to Major League Soccer after a two-year hiatus in 2008. After two seasons with the Quakes, Salinas was selected in back-to-back Expansion Drafts by the Philadelphia Union (2010) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011). He was reacquired by San Jose in a trade with Vancouver after the 2011 season.

Salinas averaged more than six assists per year for the Quakes from 2012 to 2016, including seven during the team's Supporters' Shield run in 2012 and eight in each of the following two seasons.

He has appeared in 51 of the team's 57 regular season matches over the past two years, tallying eight goals and five assists during that time, including a career-high six goals in 2019. He also scored during the team's match vs. Sporting Kansas City in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Salinas is one of just nine players in MLS history with at least 335 appearances (335) and 50 assists (51) in his career. He also ranks seventh in MLS history in appearances for one club, among non-goalkeepers, and would move into sole possession of fifth place with at least five appearances for San Jose in 2021.

Salinas has been involved in numerous off-field initiatives over the years and received a community-facing award from the club in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He also earned the team's Media Good Guy Award in each of the past two seasons for being the friendliest and most welcoming to media requests.

BUS 106 — Professional Sports in the Pandemic: Searching for a Future
That Works
Quarter: Winter
Course Format: Live Online (About Formats)
Date(s): Jan 20—Feb 24
Drop Deadline: Jan 22
Tuition: $470
Day(s): Wednesdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Unit: 1
Instructor: Andy Dolich
Status: Open
On March 11, 2020, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. NBA games were immediately cancelled. In rapid succession, much of the country sheltered in place and daily routines drastically changed, including the sports world. Get ready for the “New Different.” From games played in “the bubble” to fanless venues, sports executives have been experimenting with ways to keep their businesses running while also trying to keep fans, players, and staff safe. The business of sports has often been a trailblazer in creating innovative business models, crafting improved customer experiences, and widening community engagement. The “New Different” in sports has seen some winners and a number of “what were they thinking?” failures. This course will focus on the latest developments in the spectator sports business and what lessons they have learned—and continue to learn—during the ever-changing dynamics of COVID-19. Students will hear from thought leaders from major Bay Area teams and sports organizations who are shaping the “New Different” for the future of sports. Tentatively scheduled are Rick Welts, Golden State Warriors; Al Guido, San Francisco 49ers; Sohrob Farudi, Fan Controlled Football; Mindi Bach, Oracle Sports; and Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway. Sports fans and business managers of all industries interested in restructuring how they go to market should find this course valuable.

Please visit continuingstudies.stanford.edu for the full speaker list.

Andy Dolich, President, Dolich Consulting; Chief Operating Officer, Fan Controlled Football League

Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. (COO of FCF Fan Controlled Football) He is a co-author of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, a co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office, and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Leo Nomellini was the San Francisco 49ers very first draft choice, the 11th pick in the 1st round, after they joined
the NFL in 1950

Nomellini, who earned the nickname "The Lion," played on both the offensive and defensive lines during his 14-year career with the 49ers. He was named to the Pro Bowl ten times and was one of only a handful of players to be named to an all-NFL team on both offense and defense. During the off-season, Nomellini often worked as a professional wrestler. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 along with fellow 49er FB Joe Perry. ~ https://bit.ly/3oy6BS9 will take you to lots of other
trivial factoids about the 49er!
Raiders Fan Profiles
In the last seasons of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Ed Jay collected images and stories of some of the Raiders most passionate and beloved fans. To view and read their stories, click on this link and revisit your all-time favorites. Above, Candy Padilla. Photo by Ed Jay.
In the House!
The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the Ultimate Sports Guide, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The Ultimate Sports Guide is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net or send $5 to: Ultimate Sports Guide,
P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704. Write theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
or call (510) 845-2035. Cover photo: Rich Yee. 
Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles


Click here for 2019 editions.

Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, December 7 through
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Games for most major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled.

Monday, December 7
San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills, 5:15 p.m., ESPN
Stanford Cardinal (MBB) vs. Cal Poly Mustangs, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8
Saint Mary's Gaels (MBB) vs. UTEP, 7 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal (WBB) vs. Washington State Cougars, postponed
San Jose State Spartans (WBB) vs. UC Irvine, cancelled
Wednesday, December 9
Cal Bears (MBB) @ Pepperdine, 6 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal (MBB) vs. Loyola Marymount, 2 p.m., postponed
San Jose State Spartans (MBB) vs. University of Saint Katherine, TBA
Thursday, December 10
USF Dons (MBB) vs. Long Beach State, 6 p.m.
Cal Bears (WBB) vs. USF Dons, 6 p.m.
Friday, December 11
San Jose State Spartans @ Nevada Wolfpack, 7 p.m., CBS
Stanford Cardinal (WBB) vs. UC Davis Aggies, 4 p.m.
Saint Mary's Gaels (WBB) @ Fresno State Bulldogs, 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 12
Cal Bears @ Washington State Cougars, 7:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal @ Oregon State Beavers, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13
San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Football Team, 1:25 p.m., FOX
Cal Bears (MBB) vs. USF Dons, 12 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal (MBB) @ USC Trojans, 6:30 p.m.
Cal Bears (WBB) vs. Stanford Cardinal, 7 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans (WBB) vs. Pacific Tigers, 1 p.m.
Enjoy the
 Ultimate Sports Guide website!

Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.
Serean Kimmel, Associate
5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723

CalBRE License #:01770629

Agent  510.512.2145
Office  925.847.8900

Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
Contact Information:
Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.